Bacteria Causing Legionnaires’ Disease Found in Reopened Schools

Aug 28, 2020, 3:55 PM

(from the New York Times) Legionella could lurk in the water supplies of school buildings. Legionella is the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, a respiratory condition. It can form in stagnant water and then disperse through the air and be inhaled when, for example, a shower or tap is turned on. It can be fatal in one in 10 cases, according to the CDC. Last week in Ohio, officials found Legionella at five schools in an assortment of towns. On Friday, a district in Pennsylvania also announced it had found Legionella at four of its schools. To prevent the spread of this bacteria, schools that have been closed for longer periods of time need to do multiple flushings with disinfectant and then test.